Food packaging is used to keep food fresh and keep out any germs or bacteria that might destroy the food. Good materials used in food packaging can protect the contents from air and water seeping through, have low environmental effects, are not harmful to a person and aren't dangerous when broken. Some of the more common materials used in food packaging are aluminium, PET plastic and glass.
Aluminium
Aluminium is a fantastic material to use with food packaging. It has many uses in the world at the moment and has the potential to be used in more ways. It is currently used for carbonated drink cans, water bottles and cookie tins.
Pros
- Light-weight,
- Impermeable, excellent barrier function
- Thermal Conductor, 2.4 times faster than iron
- Flexible
- Recyclable
- Abundant resource Cons
- Bends under pressure
- Liquid aluminium causes serious health problems
- When damaged aluminium is difficult to reshape or repair
- When damaged aluminium cans can be extremely sharp http://aluminium.org.au/packaging http://elementaluminum.tripod.com/id8.html
PET Plastic
PET Plastic is a very questionable material. It has great strength and can protect from liquids and gases. The material also comes out clear showing the product you want to sell. PET can release toxins dangerous to the human body but not until after an extended period of time.
Pros
- Strong, can withstand reasonably strong impact
- Clear being able to show product being sold
- Recylable
- Lightweight Cons
- When damaged it is very difficult to repair
- After a long time of use can release harmful toxins
- Melts in high heat
Production of 1 kg of PET requires the equivalent of about 2 kg of oil (raw material and energy).
It is very inflammable and inflammability can be reduced by the use of additives.
Glass is another very commonly used material in food packaging. It is very strong and also clear to show the product being sold.
Pros
- Reasonably strong
- Protects against liquids and gases
- Clear to show product being sold
- Recyclable Cons
- When broken leaves sharp, dangerous shards
- Heavy
- Fragile, can smash reasonably easily
Food Packaging
Food packaging is used to keep food fresh and keep out any germs or bacteria that might destroy the food. Good materials used in food packaging can protect the contents from air and water seeping through, have low environmental effects, are not harmful to a person and aren't dangerous when broken. Some of the more common materials used in food packaging are aluminium, PET plastic and glass.
Aluminium
Aluminium is a fantastic material to use with food packaging. It has many uses in the world at the moment and has the potential to be used in more ways. It is currently used for carbonated drink cans, water bottles and cookie tins.
Pros
- Light-weight,
- Impermeable, excellent barrier function
- Thermal Conductor, 2.4 times faster than iron
- Flexible
- Recyclable
- Abundant resource
Cons
- Bends under pressure
- Liquid aluminium causes serious health problems
- When damaged aluminium is difficult to reshape or repair
- When damaged aluminium cans can be extremely sharp
http://aluminium.org.au/packaging
http://elementaluminum.tripod.com/id8.html
PET Plastic
PET Plastic is a very questionable material. It has great strength and can protect from liquids and gases. The material also comes out clear showing the product you want to sell. PET can release toxins dangerous to the human body but not until after an extended period of time.
Pros
- Strong, can withstand reasonably strong impact
- Clear being able to show product being sold
- Recylable
- Lightweight
Cons
- When damaged it is very difficult to repair
- After a long time of use can release harmful toxins
- Melts in high heat
Production of 1 kg of PET requires the equivalent of about 2 kg of oil (raw material and energy).
It is very inflammable and inflammability can be reduced by the use of additives.
Incineration in an incineration plant mainly produces water and carbon dioxide. Heating value is equivalent to 1/2 kg of oil. PET can be recycled into fibres that are used for polyester fabrics.
http://www.designinsite.dk/htmsider/m0011.htm
http://www.plasticsinfo.org/Main-Menu/MicrowaveFood/Need-to-Know/Plastic-Bev-Bottles/The-Safety-of-Polyethylene-Terephthalate-PET.html
Glass
Glass is another very commonly used material in food packaging. It is very strong and also clear to show the product being sold.
Pros
- Reasonably strong
- Protects against liquids and gases
- Clear to show product being sold
- Recyclable
Cons
- When broken leaves sharp, dangerous shards
- Heavy
- Fragile, can smash reasonably easily
http://www.lenntech.com/glass.htm